Welcome to my blog—an eyes-open, no holds barred exploration of Western and Eastern spirituality, mindfulness, philosophy and literature. A member of the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, I lectured at the NSW Institute of Psychiatry (now the Health Education and Training Institute) to mental health workers for 14 years and at the University of Technology, Sydney to law students for 16 years. My interests include metaphysics, mythology and addiction recovery.

The lab recently conducted
the first systematic review of studies of gene activity inside cells
and how meditation (including mindfulness meditation) and other mind-body
practices might influence the immune system and disease risk.

The research team
analysed 18 trials including 846 participants, ranging from a 2005 study of Qigong to a 2014 trial that tested whether tai chi influenced
gene activity in people with insomnia.

Although the quality
of studies was mixed and the results were complex, an overall pattern emerged.
Genes related to inflammation became less active in people practicing mind-body
interventions. Genes controlled by a key protein that acts as an inflammation ‘on-switch’,
NF-ĸB,
seem to be particularly affected.

Microscopic gene. Source: Cardiff University.

Chronic inflammation
is associated with increased risk for psychiatric disorders, autoimmune
conditions such as asthma and arthritis, cardiovascular disease,
neurodegenerative disease and some types of cancer. Some 5 years ago researchers
at NYU School of
Medicine for the first time identified a single gene that
simultaneously controls inflammation, accelerated aging and cancer and researchers
at Cardiff
University recently discovered
that genetic variation is the reason why some
immune systems overreact to viruses.

The results of the
analysis suggest mind-body interventions might help reduce the risk for inflammation-related
disorders, both psychological and physical. However, some rigorous clinical
trials are still needed to show whether the changes in gene expression really
do result in improved physical health.

Acknowledgement. Some of the material in this post first appeared online in New Scientist on 16 June 2017 and was authored by Jo Marchant. All rights reserved.

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